Sabah, Borneo

24th October – 6th November 2010

Leader: James Eaton

Participants: Ken Archambault, Peter Cottam, Mike Goddard,

John Kirby, Rob Leighton and Denzil Morgan

Whitehead’s Trogon, Mount Kinabalu © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia Borneo with its ideal combination of fantastic and varied habitats, exciting endemics, interesting mammals

and comfortable accommodation is justly acknowledged as one of the ultimate Asian birding destinations

and the participants on this tour were not to be disappointed with the quality of birds – of the 298 species recorded, 42 are endemic, throw in Giant Pitta, a clean-sweep of hornbills and Oriental Bay Owl and you can see why. The weather systems this year were heavily influenced by the La Niña phenomenon which meant that little rainfall had fallen during the ‘wet season’ and birds were consequently rather quiet which made the haul of endemics and other specialties particularly impressive. It is always difficult to pick highlights but the last-gasp Bristlehead provided the most drama and excitement, shortly followed by the

male Giant Pitta that sat calling on the trail (one of six pittas seen by all of us), Helmeted Hornbill overhead, hour-long views of a pair of Bornean Ground Cuckoo or the eye-level male Whitehead’s Trogon.. As the group consisted of very keen birders we had decided to fly to Sandakan shortly after meeting up in Kota Kinabalu to give ourselves a few extra hours in search of the endemics rather than bird the nearby marshland which a few of us had visited briefly the day before, hoping this extra time would pay-off. Our

first site was Sepilok, a popular tourist destination to watch rehabilited Orang-utans, hasrecently become

our most reliable site for most-wanted of Borneo’s 50+ endemics, Bristlehead. However, luck was not on our side at this site, despite hearing them distantly and Peter managing a brief view of one, the rest of us had to continue nail-biting for another week. Sepilok is a great introduction to the Sundaic lowland rainforest, birding from the state-of-the-art canopy walkway 20m above the ground was leisurely, allowing great views of many canopy-dwelling species.. Blue-throated Bee-eaters sallied around us, Violet Cuckoo

typically flew overhead calling, Black Hornbills called raucously close by, a large family party of Bushy-crested Hornbills settled around us for a short time, Brown Barbets jumped about, various sunbirds

including the scarce Red-throated and Van Hasselt’s, a variety of bulbuls appeared, though these were not appreciated to the extent of the whacky Grey-and-buff Woodpeckers or Black-and-yellow Broadbills! Below the walkway, our roadside birding produced more nice species; a pair of Rufous-backed Kingfisher

excavating their nest-hole, vocal Bold-striped Tit Babblers, Spectacled Spiderhunter, Crimson, Ruby-cheeked, Brown-throated Sunbird, surprisingly 3 Copper-throated Sunbirds (usually a scarce mangrove species), and our first endemics; Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, bathing White-crowned Shama and pairs of Dusky Munia.

Raptors were conspicuous; a circling Rufous-bellied Eagle, perched Wallace’s Hawk Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Goshawk, White-bellied Sea Eagle all appeared overhead, and an added bonus was a Bat Hawk that casually flew around, appearing a little lost, not surprising given it was a couple of hours too late for the bats! Around our resort we obtained unusually good views of many, largely canopy-dwelling, species – Thick-billed Spiderhunter, Plain and Orange-bellied Flowerpeckers, Greater Green Leafbird, Little Green and

Pink-necked Green Pigeons and smart, confiding Black-headed Munia.

Storm’s Stork, Kinabatangan River and White-fronted Falconet, Danum Valley © James Eaton

After this gentle introduction we headed towards our next lodge, situated along the banks of the Kinabatangan River, via a late morning visit to Gomantong Caves. At the caves we witnessed the incredible spectacle of thousands of nesting swiftlets and roosting bats overhead, from the comfort of the slippery, cockroach-invested boardwalk! Though the swiftlet nests had recently been harvested we still managed to find a small number of Mossy-nest Swiftlets occupying their ‘mossy’ nests along with a number of Black-nest Swiftlets, though we would have to save Edible-nest Swiftlet for ‘in the field’ identification. Settling down into our lodge, cradled inside the forest we enjoyed a young Orang-utan

swinging around while we ate our superb lunch, shortly followed by a pair of Storm’s Stork feeding just metres away from us, unconcerned by our excited presence. Birding along the Kinabatangan River is a wonderful, relaxing experience as we explore from the comforts of our boat. Our first ride in the afternoon

was a little quiet until a pair of White-fronted Falconets appeared, characteristically sat atop a dead snag, head-bobbing. A highlight of the river is always the night-cruise, and this was no exception, despite their being a lack of

mammals we saw several confiding Buffy Fish Owl, a pair of Brown Wood Owl and then, after a bit of coaxing, a wonderful pair of Oriental Bay Owl appeared, with one giving walk-away views sitting just above us in the tangles as we ventured out of the boats and into the forest. Once considered a dream bird, known only from field guide illustrations, the enigmatic Bornean Ground Cuckoo is now a major target for visitors.Priming ourselves along the banks of a secluded tributary, it took just a few minutes before we could hear the distant, distinctive whoo-whou of the Ground Cuckoo. As we

waited with baited breath, in silence for a few minutes, excitement soon followed as the next sound was the pig-like alarm call of the ground cuckoos just metres from the bank. Then, over the next hour we were treated to all manner of views, from glimpses through holes in the foliage, to full-blown sunlit views of the birds running in the open and even the pair standing side-by-side, duetting. With the ground cuckoos out of the way on our first morning it allowed us to follow up on many of the

scarce species that inhabit the forest. Storm’s Stork appear to be on the increase, with double figures on both of our days, raptors regularly filled the air or perched on open snags, sulking after the rain; Wallace’s

Hawk Eagle, Lesser and Grey-headed Fish Eagles, Crested Goshawk, Bat Hawk and a single Jerdon’s Baza

were all noted, as was yet another White-fronted Falconet. A couple of wintering Blue-winged Pitta showed themselves, flying back-and-forth across the river, really dazzling us their blue wings..

Our afternoon cruise went in search of hornbills. Black and Oriental Pied were everywhere, Bushy-crested appeared again and two confiding families of Rhinoceros Hornbills fed on fruit right next to the river, but it wasn’t until the late afternoon before the most-wanted Wrinkled Hornbills appeared, flying out from the

Oil Palm estate and into the riverside trees. On our final morning cruise we still had targets in mind, and we managed most of what we were looking for; during breakfast a Hooded Pitta appeared in front of the veranda, calling away and feeding below us.

From the boats a huge menggaris tree was full of more than 50 Long-tailed Parakeet, a species we had struggled to obtain good views of until now, busy feeding and inspecting nest-holes. In front of the tree, an immature White-crowned Hornbill sat quietly in the mid-canopy. A Moustached Hawk Cuckoo typically got a bit excited flying all around the boat, though finding it perched took a bit of timeand a family party of Dusky Broadbills went a bit manic, surrounding the boats! Other species during our cruise included Violet Cuckoo, Asian Drongo Cuckoo, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Blue-eared Kingfisher, White-bellied Woodpecker, Black-and-red Broadbill, Malaysian Blue Flycatcher, White-chested Babbler, more Yellow-

rumped Flowerpeckers and Hill Myna. Mammals are always an added bonus from the boats, especially the primates, and we enjoyed numerous troops of playful Proboscis Monkeys at the waters-edge, along with Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque and surprisingly good numbers of Sunda Silvered Langurs. Bornean Orang-utan appeared on a couple of

occasions, as did the wonderfully cute Plain Pygmy Squirrel and a family of Bearded Pig from our dining area.

Black-crowned Pitta and Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Danum Valley © James Eaton Bidding farewell to this marvellous area wouldn’t usually be so easy, but when our next destination is the world-famous Borneo Rainforest Lodge, situated in the Danum Valley Conservation Area it makes things a lot easier and more exciting! Our drive in the lodge produced a group of 11 Pygmy Elephants just in front

of the vehicles before slipping away into the forest and even two male Bornean Firebacks fighting in the middle of the road! This was most fortunate as the regular birds from the lodge now appear to have

moved-on. We had three full days and a morning to enjoy the various trails that surround our luxurious lodge, though a great deal of time was spent along the access road as we just had to find those pesky Bristleheads – though signs were not looking hopeful as they hadn’t been seen for some time. Everything else was going

well however, particularly with the terrestrial, understory inhabitants aswe couldn’t stop bumping into the right species at the right time. The afternoon rains tended to reduce ourbirding time but the mornings proved fruitful on each day. The daily night-drives provided relatively few highlights, though we still managed a confiding Bornean Loris, Sunda Colugo, Red Giant Flying Squirrel, Malayan Civet, Greater and Lesser Mouse-deer and a fabulous Leopard Cat, along with a perched Brown Wood Owl.

Along with the Bristlehead, the other must-see birds of Borneo are the endemic pittas. Our first endemic pitta was the best-looking, an inquisitive Blue-headed Pitta, that kept going right-left, left-right, until he got fed up and flew up, calling from an exposed branch at eye-level for as long as we wanted on our first morning. This same morning was a fabulous walk through the forest, not only giving us our first Helmeted

Hornbill, flying back-and-forth overhead, but an endemic Bornean Ground Babbler was stunning. Usually a shy, fast moving species it sat exposed for several minutes calling away. Later a family of Black-throated Wren Babbler perched up nicely at eye-level during an unsuccessful waiting-game for a vocal Giant Pitta.

A charming and confiding Rufous-chested Flycatcher sang away at close-range, as did a Rufous-winged

Philentoma, female Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Spotted Fantails, Red-naped, Scarlet-rumped and Diard’s Trogon and a plethora of babblers and bulbuls made it such a special morning. Unfortunately our

afternoon got completely rained-out though at least we managed to pull out a Maroon-breasted Philentoma just before the rains.

Rufous-chested Flycatcher and Bornean Blue Flycatcher, Danum Valley © James Eaton

The most numerous endemic pitta, Black-crowned Pitta, took little effort the following morning as a roadside bird was found perched up, calling for well over 20 minutes as we took it in turns getting close-range views in the dense foliage; we would see a couple more over the few days too. During our considerable time along the road we enjoyed regular views of hornbills including multiple Rhinoceros, Wreathed, and further views of the spectacular Helmeted Hornbill that flew overhead on several occasions,

followed by further views in the evening of 3 birds settling down to roost. Leafbirds, numerous bulbuls (including the scarce Finsch’s Bulbul), various babblers (Chestnut-winged, Chestnut-rumped, Scaly-

crowned, Sooty-capped, Rufous-crowned, Ferruginous, Short-tailed, the list goes on and on!) and a smart Red-bearded Bee-eater all performed. As we wandered through a scrubby, open section a Giant Pitta surprised us by calling right next to us, conveniently by a disused, old trail. After the previous days close-call everybody understood just how difficult this bird is to pull out and the initial excitement was soon replaced by anxiousness, particularly as the bird appeared insistent on calling from the thickest clump of

vegetation and gradually calling less, and less – frustrating as we seemed to have the bird cornered between the road and our view right down a wide, open trail. Enough was enough, and James decided to try a different method that has worked so regularly in the past with other pitta species, walking behind the bird and gently ‘walking it’ to the. The pitta started calling again for a couple of minutes somewhere in front of James and eventually went quiet to be replaced by the noise of the group – incredibly the male Giant Pitta had decided to call for those last couple of minutes actually on the sunlit trail in front of the entire group, Ken’s video of the bird was truly stunning!), bird-of-the-tour and it would remain as a non-

leader sighting!! Still Bristlehead-less we decided to venture away from the road on our third morning and head for the hills. There was a reward hanging over the Bristleheads neck so all the Lodges Guides were out en-mass

looking for it, and as we all had radio’s, we were ever optimistic (well, James was anyway!). A flighty Chestnut-naped Forktail didn’t prove particularly co-operative, unlike the trail-loving Siberian Blue Robin around the next corner. Venturing up ‘The Coffin Trail’ we reached the viewpoint and a fabulous view

stretching over untouched, virgin forest with the lodge, and a Peregrine, below us. A Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher checked us out, as did a playful group of Bornean Gibbon overhead before a Rufous-collared Kingfisher was found sat quietly close to the trail. Though birding was slow we picked up some new species such as the slope-loving Moustached Babbler, and also Horsfield’s Babbler. Just as we were about to finish the trail a pair of Bornean Blue Flycatchers appeared – good timing as delaying our progress brought out a faint, distant whistle of Borneo’s hardest endemic pitta – the rarely-encountered Blue-

banded Pitta. By peering over to the far side of a noisy stream, home to a Small-clawed Otter, we picked up a pair of Blue-banded Pitta sat side-by-side, in a sunlit spot, looking over towards us, fortunately they sat out for us plenty long enough for us to soak in the reds, blues and greens before another blue-banded, a Blue-banded Kingfisher whizzed up the stream past-us. Lunch was calling! A fruiting tree by our chalets was not quite ripe, a little frustrating, but still hosted a bonus Yellow-crowned Barbet and Scaly-breasted Bulbul amongst the hoardes of ‘brown’ bulbuls, Blue-eared Barbets

and several Blue-and-white Flycatchers.

Our final, nail-biting morning was upon us, and still no Bristlehead, but as our reward for the bird had doubled overnight, we had LOTS of expert eyes searching high and low throughout the lodge area, and

beyond! Our morning got off to an unexpectedly great start, a pair of Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, so often heard yet rarelyseen put on a magic performance as we watched them calling profusely for as long

as we wanted, Arborophilas really are a stunning, beautifully-marked family when seen this well. Walking along the road, and over the canopy walkway brought us the now-expected array of babblers, bulbuls, malkohas, treeswifts and even hornbills. The group started to become a little spread-out as hearts and

heads appeared to slowly sink, though a roadside Rufous-tailed Shama was a fine bird to pick-out in sub-optimal habitat, though this bird was the turning point as the group reunited to continue walking along the road. Then some crackling on the radio created a bit of a panic and a vehicle came rushing down for us, jumping in we raced up a kilometre to see Paul excitedly pointing to a distant, bare tree with a big black

blob near the top, raising the bins the blob turned into a strawberry-topped black blob and a BRISTLEHEAD! Hand-shakes and manly-hugs to the fabulous Paul and Vivian for finding us the bird, at 9:56am, check-out was midday, talk about cutting it fine! Typically the bird then flew into a huge roadside tree and just sat, preened, yawned, called, scratched, doing everything we wanted it to do until we had the audacity to walk away from it. Phew! A Banded Kingfisher and migrant Crow-billed Drongo on the way back was a nice added bonus for those that carried on birding till the death.

Bornean Ground Babbler and Helmeted Hornbill, Danum Valley © James Eaton

The final leg of the tour was to a totally new set of endemics as we ventured to Mount Kinabalu. As usual we climbed up to the mountain via the Rafflesia Reserve, situated between 1000-1300m it gave us a range of species unlikely on the mountain and a bus-load of new endemic ticks. Munching our breakfast from a likely looking spot brought about our first Bornean Treepie, Bornean Bulbul, Temminck’s Babbler, ‘Sunda’ Ashy Drongo, Mountain Barbet, numerous Little Cuckoo Doves, Bornean Whistler, Rufous-hooded Laughingthrush, Yellow-breasted Warbler, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Black-sided Flowerpecker and dazzling Temminck’s Sunbird got the pulses racing. All of these species we would see on a regular basis

over the next week apart from the Temminck’s Babbler which put on an unusually showy performance. Walking down the forest-lined, though busy road a complete lack of fruiting trees made for tougher birding than usual. Ken struck gold, waiting behind us a Whitehead’s Broadbill flew straight into his video screen, perched for a few seconds and vanished again, frustratingly for the rest of us this was to be the

only sighting on the tour. More Bornean Bulbuls appeared and a pair of Long-tailed Broadbills appeared to

be nest-building nearby, Cinereous Bulbuls were flighty, Sunda Laughingthrushes sneaked about and Bornean Leafbirds would have to wait for our return visit to give better views. Grey Wagtails were constantly flying up from the road and gutter but eventually so did a pair of the recently-split Bornean Forktail, which hung around for great scope views. As we began to wander in to the degraded habitat we lucked-out on a small flock of the tiny, hard-to-find Pygmy Ibon, the flock hung around for some time, even allowing scope views as they sat and preened, maybe not a stunner, but an endemic rarely seen in Sabah!

As the sun began to rise, so did the raptors, Blyth’s Hawk Eagles appeared and eventually, just as we were ready to leave, so did the difficult Mountain Serpent Eagle as it casually flew along a ridge before slinking away, allowing us to head towards Mount Kinabalu. As rain and thick mist was a typically regular occurrence on the mountain we really had to work hard in the mornings. Through persistence and hard-searching, our first morning turned out to the leaders best-ever day on the mountain. Enjoying coffee and breakfast under a shelter of a short, misty shower, we

watched Indigo Flycatchers, Sunda and Rufous-hooded Laughingthrushes, Bornean Whistling-thrushes, Bornean Treepies, and, for Ken, his second Narcissus Flycatcher of the tour, all busy raiding the street lights for defenceless moths. As the rain stopped, we continued walking along a short forest trail for one of Borneo’s least-known endemics, Everett’s Thrush. As we waited patiently on the trail, a brief snatch of

song brought the thrush racing forwards and it proceeded to hop around us through the vegetation within a 3-4 metres radius over the next 5 minutes. We were even able to make out the combination of rings on

its legs (thanks to a two-year nesting-bird survey where seemingly every bird here is now banded!). A real bonus to get this bird in the bag so early on. We switched trails for the remainder of the morning, a smart move, as first up was a ridiculously easy Bornean Stubtail that just peered up at us and was either

to close for the bins, or they just weren’t required! Frustration soon followed as the biggest prize slipped the net as a male Whitehead’s Trogon disappeared as quickly as it appeared. We needn’t have worried as moving a little further on, eagle-eyed Mike (as if Denzil doesn’t need to be reminded again!) found a beautifully perched male trogon at eye-level, with a female sat below him, surely Asia’s best trogon. Once

they had slipped off a line of endemics followed; a fruit-gulping Golden-naped Barbet sat above the trail while a typically chirpy family of Mountain Wren Babblers hopped around the mossy understorey. Following these delightful birds led us to our next endemic, a pair of unobtrusive Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher. Moving further down the trail, some scratching and scuttling at the trail-side proved to be a covey of excited Red-breasted Partridges that eventually started duetting at ear-piercingly close-range, giving us yet another opportunity to admire the intricate patterning of an Arphorophila. As we neared the end of the trail a pair of colour-banded Bornean Forktails got a bit excited, calling profusely close-by

offering extended looks of this retiring species. Our final instalment of the morning was a stunning pair of ‘Bornean’ Green Magpies (soon-to-be split from Short-tailed) that were attempting to remove the spikes from a caterpillar at the roadside. As the gods, and weather, were smiling on us today we decided to try our luck and head for the higher

reaches of the mountain. Endemic Mountain Black-eyes were in evidence, as were some confiding Sunda Bush Warblers. Athough it took us an hour before we eventually heard the whispering of a Friendly Bush

Warbler, it took less than 20 seconds to locate the bird, just 3 metres away, singing on top of a stump, even long enough to allow everyone to catch their breath back! It was well worth the short hike, especially as Rob, determined to get higher than the rest of us, picked up a White-browed Shortwing for us all to enjoy (yet another certain split!). Some more Bornean Whistling-thrushes and a fly-through Island thrush brought an end to this fabulous day.

Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher and Friendly Bush Warbler, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton

Due to our successes the previous day, we opted to try the lower slopes of the mountain at Poring Hot Springs. As this is a bird tour, and not a holiday, obviously we slipped by the famous hot springs pre-dawn. Reaching the good forest for dawn gave us instant success as a White-necked Babbler, one of the hardest sundaic babblers, appeared in some bamboo, agitatedly circling us at close-range. A Chestnut-

backed Scimitar Babbler was rather brief, though all this went out of the window when the quiet, distant cooing of a Hose’s Broadbill became barely audible. Though it took little time for him to fly straight to us, he spooked a little too easily, but finding a fruiting tree gave us all the incentive we needed to stay-put. Green Broadbills appeared, a good sign, as did a Bornean Barbet, Bornean Leafbird and a cracking pair of desirable Crested Jays. Eventually the Hose’s started calling again, giving its ‘Schneider’s Pitta’ call, and was picked up, feeding high in the fruiting tree whereit remained for a minute or so, giving most of us good looks, then flying overhead, landing just above us, before excitingly flying round us once again and

disappearing for good this time! The rest of the morning was typical Poring, quiet but with the odd surprise. Another pair of showy White-necked Babbler and the scarce Olive-backed Woodpecker made a welcome appearance. A belated buffet lunch was most welcome as we took it easy in the afternoon, nothing but a variety of forest-edge species

and our only Gold-whiskered Barbet of the tour. The remainder of our time on Mount Kinabalu was spent searching for the remaining species on the

mountain, though dividing the remaining two days between the mountain and the Rafflesia Reserve proved somewhat frustrating, partially to do with our earlier successes, it meant we had less to search for!

Bornean Swiftlet, a recently-elevated endemic was an easy pick-up at a nesting colony, and sifting through the feeding flocks of Black-capped White-eye, Bornean Whistler, Mountain Leaf Warbler, Yellow-

breasted Warbler and Grey-chinned Minivets largely brought a blank except for the odd addition to the list like Checker-throated Woodpecker and Hair-crested Drongo. A flock of Pale-faced Bulbuls eventually showed up, this recently-split endemic was surprisingly difficult to come by up until this point. Back at the

Rafflesia Reserve, the lack of fruiting trees was taking its toll as we failed to locate any Fruit-hunter, but did get a splendid Bornean Barbet sat up calling from its favoured perch and Sunda Cuckooshrikes were suddenly conspicuous having been missing previously and Bornean Leafbirds showed excellently as did a Sunda Cuckoo.

Returning back to Kota Kinabalu for our final night of the tour and a run through the ‘bird-of-the-tour’brought back great memories of the pittas, ground cuckoos and Bristlehead, though it wasn’t quite over yet. With a couple of hours available on the final morning we returned to the Rafflesia Reserve, birding the same spot as the previous visits, but typically with a totally different outcome, the buzzy call of a Whitehead’s Spiderhunter turned our heads, creating a mad panic of scanning bins and shouting of directions, to find it sat feeding on a nearby flowering tree, what a relief! Our other big miss of the mountain was the usually dependable Bare-headed Laughingthrush, and having not seen it previously at

the Rafflesia Reserve on any of James’s tour, we had given up hope on this too. That was until some distant booming from the depths of the forest led us straight to a pair (via a muddy bog in our airplane clothes, sorry guys, but the birds come first!). It was all getting quite frantic as the finale was a caterpillar-munching Bock’s Hawk Cuckoo, and smiles all round before we could head for the airport, via a

brief wash-up!

For information regarding our tours to Borneo please click here. Alternatively please contact us via e-mail or phone +44 1332 516254 regarding organising a custom tour to Borneo.

More Photos from the tour

Saltwater Crocodile, Kinabatangan River © James Eaton / Birdtour Asia

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Bushy-crested Hornbill, Sepilok © James Eaton

White-crowned Hornbill and Rhinoceros Hornbill, Kinabatangan © James Eaton

Leopard Cat and Bornean Loris, Danum Valley © James Eaton

Pygmy Ibon, Rafflesia Reserve and Finsch’s Bulbul, Danum Valley © James Eaton

Bock’s Hawk Cuckoo and Long-tailed Broadbill, Rafflesia Reserve © James Eaton

Bornean Whistler and Bornean Forktail, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton

Black-sided Flowerpecker and ‘Bornean’ Green Magpie, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton

Copper-throated Sunbird, Sepilok and Temminck’s Sunbird, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton

Thick-billed Spiderhunter and Greater Green Leafbird, Sepilok © James Eaton

Buffy Fish Owl and Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Kinabatangan River © James Eaton

Mountain Black-eye and Bornean Whistling Thrush, Mt Kinabalu © James Eaton

Whitehead’s Spiderhunter and Bornean Swiftlet, Rafflesia Reserve © James Eaton

Systematic Bird List

PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modesta Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Javan Pond Heron Ardeola speciosa Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Striated Heron Butorides striata Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus

CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae

Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus

FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae

Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus alcinus Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Mountain Serpent Eagle Spilornis kinabaluensis e

Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Rufous-bellied Eagle Aquila kienerii Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus limnaetus Blyth's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus alboniger Wallace's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus nanus

FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae

White-fronted Falconet Microhierax latifrons e Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ernesti

GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae

Great Argus Argusianus argus

heard only

Red-breasted Partridge Arborophila hyperythra e Chestnut-necklaced Partridge Arborophila charltonii

Crimson-headed Partridge Haematortyx sanguiniceps e heard only

Bornean [Crested] Fireback Lophura ignita nobilis e

GRUIFORMES: Rallidae

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Black-backed Swamphen Porphyrio indicus

CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Grey-tailed Tattler Heterosceles brevipes Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis

CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis

Little Cuckoo Dove Macropygia ruficeps Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata Little Green Pigeon Treron olax

Pink-necked Green Pigeon Treron vernans Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia

PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae

Long-tailed Parakeet Psittacula longicauda Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Loriculus galgulus

CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae

Bock's Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus [sparverioides] bocki Moustached Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus vagans Sunda Cuckoo Cuculus lepidus Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus

heard only

Little Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx minutillus

heard only

Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris brachyurus

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus Black-bellied Malkoha Phaenicophaeus diardi Raffles's Malkoha Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus Red-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus javanicus

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha Phaenicophaeus curvirostris Bornean Ground Cuckoo Carpococcyx radiatus e

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

heard only

STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae

Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus badius badius

STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae

Barred Eagle Owl Bubo sumatranus

heard only

Buffy Fish Owl Ketupa ketupu Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica leptogrammica

CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae

Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus salvadorii

heard only

APODIFORMES: Apodidae

Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta cyanoptila Bornean Swiftlet Collocalia dodgei Mossy-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus salangana

Black-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus maximus

Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fuciphagus

Silver-rumped Needletail Rhaphidura leucopygialis Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus House Swift Apus [affinis] nipalensis

APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae

Grey-rumped Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata

TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae

Red-naped Trogon Harpactes kasumba

Diard's Trogon Harpactes diardii Whitehead's Trogon Harpactes whiteheadi e

Scarlet-rumped Trogon Harpactes duvaucelii

CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting verreauxii Blue-banded Kingfisher Alcedo euryzona Rufous-backed Kingfisher Ceyx rufidorsa motleyi

Banded Kingfisher Lacedo pulchella melanops Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis inominata Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda minor

heard only

Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris

Rufous-collared Kingfisher Actenoides concretus

CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae

Red-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis amictus Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis

CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae

Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis

CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae

Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris

Black Hornbill Anthracoceros malayanus Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros Helmeted Hornbill Buceros vigil Bushy-crested Hornbill Anorrhinus galeritus

White-crowned Hornbill Aceros comatus Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros corrugatus Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae

Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos Mountain Barbet Megalaima monticola e

Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henricii

Golden-naped Barbet Megalaima pulcherrima e Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis

Bornean Barbet Megalaima eximia e Brown Barbet Calorhamphus fuliginosus tertius

PICIFORMES: Picidae

Rufous Piculet Sasia abnormis Sunda Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus

Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus

White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis

Checker-throated Woodpecker Picus mentalis Olive-backed Woodpecker Dinopium rafflesii Maroon Woodpecker Blythipicus rubiginosus Orange-backed Woodpecker Reinwardtipicus validus

Buff-rumped Woodpecker Meiglyptes tristis Buff-necked Woodpecker Meiglyptes tukki Grey-and-buff Woodpecker Hemicircus concretus

PASSERIFORMES: Eurylaimidae

Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus

Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis Hose's Broadbill Calyptomena hosii e

Whitehead's Broadbill Calyptomena whiteheadi e

PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae

Giant Pitta Pitta caerulea Blue-headed Pitta Pitta baudii e

Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida mulleri

Blue-banded Pitta Pitta arquata e Black-crowned Pitta Pitta ussheri e Blue-winged Pitta Pitta moluccensis

PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica

PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae

Sunda Cuckooshrike Coracina larvata Lesser Cuckooshrike Coracina fimbriata Pied Triller Lalage nigra

Fiery Minivet Pericrocotus igneus Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus

PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae

Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus

heard only

Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps Bornean Bulbul Pycnonotus montis e

Scaly-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus squamatus Pale-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus [flavescens] leucops e

Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier Olive-winged Bulbul Pycnonotus plumosus

Cream-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus simplex perplexus Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus brunneus Spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos Finsch's Bulbul Alophoixus finschii

Ochraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus ruficrissus Grey-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres gutturalis Yellow-bellied Bulbul Alophoixus phaeocephalus Hairy-backed Bulbul Tricholestes criniger

Buff-vented Bulbul Iole olivacea

Streaked Bulbul Ixos malaccensis Cinereous Bulbul Hemixos cinereus connectens

PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae

Greater Green Leafbird Chloropsis sonnerati

Lesser Green Leafbird Chloropsis cyanopogon Bornean Leafbird Chloropsis kinabaluensis e

PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae

Common Iora Aegithina tiphia aequanimis

Green Iora Aegithina viridissima

PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae

Bornean Whistling Thrush Myophonus borneensis e Everett's Thrush Zoothera everetti e

Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus seebohmi White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana erythrogyna

PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae

Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris latrunculus

PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae

Bornean Stubtail Urosphena whiteheadi e Sunda Bush Warbler Cettia vulcania oreophila

Friendly Bush Warbler Bradypterus accentor e

Mountain Tailorbird Orthotomus cuculatus cinereicollis Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis Rufous-tailed Tailorbird Orthotomus sericeus Ashy Tailorbird Orthotomus ruficeps

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Mountain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus kinabaluensis

Yellow-breasted Warbler Seicercus montis floris Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris schwaneri Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris

PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae

Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias umbratilis Eye-browed Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias gularis e

Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta Brown-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa williamsoni Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra sumatrana Rufous-chested Flycatcher Ficedula dumetoria Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina Indigo Flycatcher Eumyias indigo Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor herterti Malaysian Blue Flycatcher Cyornis turcosus Bornean Blue Flycatcher Cyornis superbus e

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

heard only

Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis adamsi White-crowned Shama Copsychus stricklandii e

Rufous-tailed Shama Trichixos pyrropyga Chestnut-naped Forktail Enicurus ruficapillus White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti frontalis

Bornean Forktail Enicurus borneensis

PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae

White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis kinabalu Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica Spotted Fantail Rhipidura perlata

PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Asian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi

PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae

Bornean Whistler Pachycephala hypoxantha e

PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae

Sunda Laughingthrush Garrulax palliatus Bare-headed Laughingthrush Melanocichla calvus e

Rufous-hooded Laughingthrush Rhinocichla treacheri e White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum

Ferruginous Babbler Trichastoma bicolor Horsfield's Babbler Malacocincla sepiarium

Short-tailed Babbler Malacocincla malaccensis Temminck's Babbler Pellorneum pyrrogenys Black-capped Babbler Pellorneum capistratum

heard only

Moustached Babbler Malacopteron magnirostre

Sooty-capped Babbler Malacopteron affine Scaly-crowned Babbler Malacopteron cinereum cinereum Rufous-crowned Babbler Malacopteron magnum Chestnut-backed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus montanus bornensis

Bornean Ground Babbler Ptilocichla leucogrammica e Black-throated Wren Babbler Napothera atrigularis e Mountain Wren Babbler Napothera crassa e Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps

Grey-headed Babbler Stachyris poliocephala White-necked Babbler Stachyris leucotis Chestnut-rumped Babbler Stachyris maculata Chestnut-winged Babbler Stachyris erythroptera

Bold-striped Tit Babbler Macronous bornensis Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda Chestnut-crested Yuhina Yuhina everetti e

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae

Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea

PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis

PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex Brown-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Red-throated Sunbird Anthreptes rhodolaema

Purple-naped Sunbird Hypogramma hypogrammicum Copper-throated Sunbird Leptocoma calcostetha Van Hasselt's Sunbird Leptocoma brasiliana Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja Temminck's Sunbird Aethopyga temminckii

Thick-billed Spiderhunter Arachnothera crassirostris

Spectacled Spiderhunter Arachnothera flavigaster Long-billed Spiderhunter Arachnothera robusta Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter Arachnothera affinis everetti

Whitehead's Spiderhunter Arachnothera juliae e

PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae

Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker Prionochilus maculatus Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Prionochilus xanthopygius e

Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma Black-sided Flowerpecker Dicaeum monticolum e

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum

PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae

Black-capped White-eye Zosterops atricapillus Pygmy Ibon Oculocincta squamifrons e

Mountain Black-eye Chlorocharis emiliae e

PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae

Dark-throated Oriole Oriolus xanthonotus Black-and-crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus

PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae

Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella

PASSERIFORMES: Prionopidae

Rufous-winged Philentoma Philentoma pyrhopterum Maroon-breasted Philentoma Philentoma velatum

PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae

Sunda [Ashy] Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus stigmatops Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annecttans

Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus borneensis Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus brachyphorus

PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus

PASSERIFORMES: Pityriaseidae

Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala e

PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae

Crested Jay Platylophus galericulatus coronatus

Bornean Black Magpie Platysmurus aterrimus e ‘Bornean’ Green Magpie Cissa [thalassina] jefferyi e Bornean Treepie Dendrocitta cinerascens e Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca compilator

PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae

Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus

PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae

Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans e

Black-headed Munia Lonchura atricapilla

PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus

PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae

‘Blyth's’ Shrike Babbler Pteruthius aeralatus robinsoni

MAMMALS Lesser Gymnure Hylomys suillus

Mountain Treeshrew Tupaia montana baluensis e Large Treeshrew Tupaia tana paitana

Smooth-tailed Treeshrew Dendrogale melanura baluensis Sunda Colugo Cynocephalus variegatus

Bornean Loris Nycticebus borneanus Western Tarsier Tarsius bancanus borneanus Maroon Leaf Monkey Presbytis rubicunda e

Sunda Silvered Leaf Monkey Presbytis cristata

Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus e Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis

Sunda Pig-tailed Macaque Macca nemestrina Bornean Gibbon Hylobates muelleri e

Bornean Orang-utan Pongo pygmaeus e Pale Giant Squirrel Ratufa affinis

Prevost's Squirrel Callosciurus prevostii pluto Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus

Bornean Black-banded Squirrel Callosciurus orestes e Low's Squirrel Sundasciurus lowii

Jentink's Squirrel Sundasciurus jentinki e Brooke's Squirrel Sundasciurus brookei

Four-striped Ground Squirrel Lariscus hosei e Plain Pygmy Squirrel Exilisciurus exilis e Whitehead's Pygmy Squirrel Exilisciurus whiteheadi e Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista

Oriental Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinerea Malay Civet Viverra tangalunga Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Leopard Cat Felis bengalensis

Asian [Pygmy] Elephant Elephas maximus borneensis e Bearded Pig Sus barbatus

Lesser Mouse-Deer Tragulus kanchil Greater Mouse-Deer Tragulus napu

Sambar Deer Cervus unicolor

Bird-of-the-tour 1 Giant Pitta

2 Whitehead's Trogon 3 Bristlehead 4 Bornean Ground Cuckoo 5 Black-crowned Pitta

298 species recorded including 11 heard only

Birding along the Kinabatangan © James Eaton /Birdtour Asia For information regarding our tours to Borneo please click here. Alternatively please contact us via e-mail or phone +44 1332 516254 regarding organising a custom tour to Borneo.